Haile Gebrselassie has broken the marathon world record by winning the Berlin Marathon in 2hr 4min 26sec.

The 34-year-old Ethiopian lowered the mark of 2hr 4min 55sec set by Kenya’s Paul Tergat in 2003 on a flat course that winds through the German capital.

Gebrselassie trailed the record mark by six seconds at the halfway point, but picked up the pace over the last six miles, when he ran alone without pacemakers.

As he ran through the giant pillars of the Brandenburg Gate in downtown Berlin and broke into a smile over the final metres, it became clear he would accomplish the feat on his second try in Berlin.

"This was something special," said Gebrselassie, who a year ago missed out on breaking Tergat's mark despite setting the best time in the world. "There was a bit of wind in my face, but at 27km it was behind me. Then at 35km it was in front again, but not so much. After 20km, I knew I could break the record because I felt so good."

This was the 25th world record for the two-time Olympic 10,000-metre champion, and the sixth time the marathon world record has been broken in Berlin. The race drew 40,000 competitors.

Making it an Ethiopian double, Gete Wami also successfully defended her title, with victory in 2hr 23hr 17min.

That was three quarters of a minute outside last year's time and she admitted that she cruised the last few kilometres to stay fresh for the New York Marathon in five weeks' time.

Wami, whose victory moved her to the top of World Marathon Majors rankings, said: "I want to run New York and I want to win the jackpot." If Wami prevents Jelena Prokopcuka from winning a third consecutive New York title, she will win the $500,000 (£245,000) series prize.